Arsenal: Nacho Monreal transfer makes absolutely no sense

Arsenal’s leftback situation has changed, but selling Nacho Monreal isn’t going to solve anything. In fact, it makes little sense whatsoever.

Nacho Monreal was voted second in Arsenal’s player of the season vote having accumulated five goals and two assists that combined with a host of exceptional defensive performances. Transfer rumours have emerged about a move away in recent weeks which begs the question if Arsenal would consider selling such a high performing commodity.

Monreal started last season having found a new niche, a full-back balancing two orthodox centre backs as part of a three-man back line. Such a setup highlighted Nacho’s aerial qualities, expert reading of the game and general defensive skillset including a range blocks and tackles.

As the season progressed Arsene Wenger scrapped the 3-5-2 experiment in favour of his long preferred 4-2-3-1 formation with Monreal switching back to a traditional full back role which in Arsenal terms means providing width to the team via overlapping runs into vacated space, left by Arsenal’s inverted playmakers.

Such a move demonstrated his aforementioned defensive quality, which has been consistent for a number of years, and combined it with an age-defying energy, an excellent of quality delivery into the box and concrete attacking output as per the earlier statistics.

Monreal’s 17/18 season is most encapsulated by the second-half of the League Cup Semi Final versus Chelsea his resolute defending under pressure was as entertaining as it was inspiration, Sky pundits rightly lauded Monreal for his character, leadership and defensive quality post-match.

Such output makes the recent transfer rumours around a move to Real Sociedad all the more puzzling. A player 10 years younger might understandably be linked with Europe’s elite however last season’s 12th best team in La Liga would be a curious move. One would assume that any transfer could only be driven by a lack of guarantees from Arsenal around playing time and/or money.

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One aspect to consider is that amongst social media, national press and pundits, Monreal very rarely receives the appreciation he perhaps deserves and there is an argument to say consequently his stock is devalued.

This is likely due to full back never being a ‘sexy’ position and secondly because those that have challenged such a perception tend to be those who are exceptionally quick, athletic or very-attack minded or all of the above. Whilst Nacho is efficient, he is not the most athletic in the mould of say a Kyle Walker, Dani Alves or Benjamin Mendy.

Consequently, such a playing contribution is easily dismissed even though the reality might be a lack of publicity rather than lack of performance. This can be dangerous when fan bases start calling for summer transfers with skills gap being addressed ignored in favour the retention and attraction of sexier personnel.

Of course there is always the possibility of an upgrade in any position but is investing time and money on a replacement left back or trusting Kolasinac, yet to prove himself defensively, really a top priority for the new season? Especially when more obvious skills gaps like centre back and wide-midfield need addressing.

Nacho Monreal’s 17/18 season was excellent both in terms of plaudits and individual observation and in statistics. As things stand he is therefore a high performer. His skillset is built around defensive solidity which fits perfectly with the new Head Coaches core strategy which focuses on a solid foundation.

It would therefore be madness to consider any transfer bid and much more appropriate to name Nacho as one of the first names on the team sheet.